Combination ladder and mudboard

ABSTRACT

A combination ladder and mudboard structure comprising a pair of spaced, parallel, elongated rung-equipped frame members defining ladder legs with a pair of telescopic extensions mounted thereto, a generally flat panel mounted atop the frame members for supporting a welder in a reclined working position, and a pair of legs pivotally connected to frame members at one end thereof and movable between a first position disposed between the frame members and a second position generally perpendicular to the frame members for supporting the overall structure with the panel inclined relative to the ground for supporting the welder on his back.

United States Patent 1191 Palumbo 1 51 Apr. 16, 1974 COMBINATION LADDER AND MUDBOARD [22] Filed: Sept. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 287,154

Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson [5 7] ABSTRACT A combination ladder and mudboard structure comprising a pair of spaced, parallel, elongated rungequipped frame members defining ladder legs with a pair of telescopic extensions mounted thereto, a generally flat panel mounted atop the frame members for supporting a welder in a reclined working position, and a pair of legs pivotally connected to frame members at one end thereof and movable between a first position disposed between the frame members and a second position generally perpendicular to the frame members for supporting the overall structure with the panel inclined relative to the ground for supporting the welder on his back.

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1 COMBINATION LADDER AND MUDBOARD The present invention is generally related to ladder constructions and, more particularly, to a combination ladder and mudboard structure which may be used for several purposes related to pipe welding and similar jobs.

Present day procedures for laying metal pipe lines require several crews of welders for forming welds at' each pipe seam, each crew making a pass or bead around the circular seams. Generally, several passes are made to assure the desired strength at each pipe joint. In forming a bead, the welder begins at the top of the pipe and makes a downward pass to the bottom, forming a semi-circular weld. A second semi-circular pass is made on the opposite side of the pipe to complete a circular weld around the pipe.

Such welding procedures often involve pipes of relatively large diameter, generally spaced from the ground by a distance of 1-7 feet, with the topside of the pipe being considerably higher. Various types of terrain are encountered by the pipe welder, ranging from hard rock to soft mud. These conditions often require a considerable amount of physical strain and effort on the part of a welder when making each seam.

It has become common practice among pipe welders to provide what is often referred to as a mudboard for welding the bottom side of each pipe seam. This is a relatively simple platform, usually formed from a piece of plywood or several flat boards nailed to about three 2 X 4 inch boards to provide a support surface approximately five feet in length and 18 inches wide. The pipe welders may work in a reclined position with their backs resting against the mudboard platform when welding the bottom side of each pipe seam. This, of course, is most useful as it prevents the welder from sinking into muddy soil or experiencing considerable discomfort from lying on hard ground surfaces. However, such mudboard constructions are of little or no assistance to welders in reaching the top side of each pipe seam, particularly when welding pipes of large diameter spaced a considerable distance above the ground. Often, several workers were required to place skids under the mudboard, such that it would reach high enough when placed upright to permit the welder to reach the top side of the seam. Also, the flimsy construction of most mudboards made them difficult to handle and of relatively short life expectancy.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel combination mudboard and ladder structure for assisting workers in expeditiously welding pipe seams or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a unique combination ladder and welding platform structure to support a pipe welder for reaching the tops of pipe seams and for supporting him in a reclined position above the ground when welding the bottoms of such seams.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a versatile combination ladder and support platform structure for welders and the like which is comprised of a relatively small number of parts, is of lightweight construction which may be easily moved about, is durable, long lasting, yet relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawins forming a drawings hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the combination ladder and mudboard structure of the present invention illustrated in a typical job application for welding the bottom side of a pipe seam.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the structure as illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along section.44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the structure of the present invention in a vertical position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along section 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along section 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the structure when utilized as a ladder resting against a typical section of pipe to be welded.

Referring now, more particularly, to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the combination ladder and mudboard structure of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 and is illustrated as being supported by ground in a slightly inclined position, whereby a welder, such as that indicated at 12, may work in a reclined position. The structure is disposed beneath a pair of pipe sections 16 and 18 and supports the welder above the ground terrain such that he may work with a relative degree of comfort to make welds on the bottom side of seam 14. 1

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, it will be observed that the structure of the present invention is provided with a pair of rigid side frame members 20 and 22 of elongated configuration. Preferably, the frame members are channel-shaped in cross-section and made of lightweight materials, such as aluminum, and are provided with holes 24 which decrease the weight of the overall structure. The framemembers are arranged in spaced, parallel coplanar relationship and are interconnected by way of a plurality of ladder rungs 26 extending transversely between the frame members and welded thereto as indicated at 28. A plurality of metal strap cross braces 30 also extend between the frame members and are located in a plane spaced several inches from the plane defined by the ladder rungs.

It will be appreciated that the cross braces 30 provide a mounting for a generally planar platform or panel 32, preferably formedfrom plywood. The panel extends along substantially the entire length of the frame members with its lateral edges overlying the flanges of the frame members as indicated at 34 (FIG. 4). Preferably, the panel is fastened to the cross braces by way of a plurality of screws as indicated at 36. Elongated slots 38 are provided in the panel at various locations which serve to reduce the weight of the panel and also provide a degree of ventilation for cooling the welder's back while he is in a reclined position as illustrated in FIG. 1

In order to maintain the structure in a slightly inclined position, a leg frame or prop generally indicated by the numeral 40 is mounted at one end of the structure by way of pivotal connections 42 at the end of each frame member. The leg frame is U-shaped and comprised of a pair of spaced parallel legs 44 and 46 interconnected by way of a cross support 48 and a pair of braces 50 and 52, as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. The cross braces extend between the legs and support member 48 to define a V-shaped brace which reinforces the leg assembly. A slotted plate or cleat 54 is welded to cross braces 50 and 52 immediately adjacent their converging junction to provide a means of maintaining the leg frame in a folded position, as illustrated in FIG. 5. This is achieved by the aid of a wing nut 56 on a stud anchored on a fastening bracket 58 extending between frame members 20 and 22. Additional support is provided for the leg assembly by way of a pair of brace members or stays 60 and 62 pivotally connected to legs 44 and 46 at an intermediate point thereon and fastened at their opposite ends to the frame members by way of wing nuts 66 and elongated slots 68 formed in each frame member. One end of each slot is provided with a plurality of notches (not detailed) which selectively receive threaded studs associated with the wing nuts to adjust the angular position of the prop and to select the desired angle of inclination.

As mentioned above, the versatility of the structure of the present invention permits its use both as a mudboard and as a ladder. This permits the welder to make passes along both the top and bottom sides of the pipe seams. When utilizing the structure as a ladder, the leg assembly is collapsed to a position as illustrated in FIGS. -8. The structure may be placed in a generally upright position, inclined somewhat from the vertical, for leaning against a pipe, as illustrated in FIG. 8, or other structure for welding or the like. It will be appreciated that the top end of the structure is provided with a generally flat foot platform 68 which extends transversely between the ends of frame members and 22, welded or otherwise fastened thereto. The plat form is provided with a pair of generally rectangular openings 70 and 72 which are aligned with a pair of ladder extension members 74 or arms and 76, respectively. Preferably, the ladder extension members are of elongated tubular construction and are adjustably received by a pair of mounting collars 78 and 80 each with a locking wing nut 82. When it is necessary to have a ladder of greater length than the frame members, extension members 74 and 76 may be adjustably positioned to extend beyond the end of the frame members, as shown in dash in FIG. 5. A typical use of the extension members is illustrated in FIG. 8. The telescopic mounting of the extension members provides an extremely compact overall structure, with the extension members normally being disposed between the ladder rungs and cross braces as best illustrated in FIG. 6.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the combination ladder and mudboard structure of the present invention provides a versatile means of aiding pipe welders in making passes along both the top and bottom sides of pipe seams. When utilizing the structure of the present invention, the time and effort required to make the typical pipe seam are significantly reduced, thereby reducing the overall labor costs. The

compactness and lightness of the structure is such that it may be easily moved about by an individual worker.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A portable self-contained multipurpose device for use by pipe welders comprising a pair of like elongated spaced parallel coplanar frame members, said frame members being alike and channel-shaped in crosssection, rigid strap-type cross-braces bridging the space between and having end portions joined to the respectively cooperable frame members, said cross-braces being disposed at right angles and secured to said frame members at longitudinally spaced positions, a flat-faced panel of a length commensurate with the length of said frame members and resting upon and secured flatwise to said cross-braces and having lengthwise marginal edge portions superimposed upon and supported atop underlying flanges embodied in said frame members, a foot platform interposed transversely between and secured to and coordinating with terminal upper end portions of said frame members, a folding U-shaped legframe, said leg-frame providing a collapsible prop, the legs of said leg-frame being pivotally joined to the respectively cooperable frame members, linking stays having corresponding outer ends pivotally connected with the legs of said leg-frame and their opposite inner ends adjustably and clampingly connected with said frame members.

2. The device defined in claim 1, and, in combination, an anchoring bracket extending transversely across the space between and having end portions secured to said frame members, the legs of said leg-frame being provided with a fixed cleat, and manually controllable fastening means separably securing said cleat to said anchoring bracket at will.

3. The device defined in and according to claim 2 and, in combination, a plurality of ladder rungs extending transversely between the respective frame members and disposed in longitudinally spaced relationship and cooperating with said members and defining a ladder.

. 4. The device defined in and according to claim 3 and wherein collars are fixedly mounted. on interior opposed surfaces of the respective frame members, said collars constituting guides and being provided with individual manually adjustable setscrews, and ladder extension arms having portions slidingly and retentively fitted into the respective collars, said arms being of a length that they are capable of being extended to usable positions beyond the usable upper ends of the respective frame members whenever necessary or desired. 

1. A portable self-contained multipurpose device for use by pipe welders comprising a pair of like elongated spaced parallel coplanar frame members, said frame members being alike and channel-shaped in cross-section, rigid strap-type cross-braces bridging the space between and having end portions joined to the respectively cooperable frame members, said cross-braces being disposed at right angles and secured to said frame members aT longitudinally spaced positions, a flat-faced panel of a length commensurate with the length of said frame members and resting upon and secured flatwise to said cross-braces and having lengthwise marginal edge portions superimposed upon and supported atop underlying flanges embodied in said frame members, a foot platform interposed transversely between and secured to and coordinating with terminal upper end portions of said frame members, a folding U-shaped leg-frame, said leg-frame providing a collapsible prop, the legs of said leg-frame being pivotally joined to the respectively cooperable frame members, linking stays having corresponding outer ends pivotally connected with the legs of said leg-frame and their opposite inner ends adjustably and clampingly connected with said frame members.
 2. The device defined in claim 1, and, in combination, an anchoring bracket extending transversely across the space between and having end portions secured to said frame members, the legs of said leg-frame being provided with a fixed cleat, and manually controllable fastening means separably securing said cleat to said anchoring bracket at will.
 3. The device defined in and according to claim 2 and, in combination, a plurality of ladder rungs extending transversely between the respective frame members and disposed in longitudinally spaced relationship and cooperating with said members and defining a ladder.
 4. The device defined in and according to claim 3 and wherein collars are fixedly mounted on interior opposed surfaces of the respective frame members, said collars constituting guides and being provided with individual manually adjustable setscrews, and ladder extension arms having portions slidingly and retentively fitted into the respective collars, said arms being of a length that they are capable of being extended to usable positions beyond the usable upper ends of the respective frame members whenever necessary or desired. 